Railway semaphore-signal



- (No Model.)

W. M. GRAFTON. RAILWAY SEMAPHORE SIGNAL.

No. 431,888. Patented July'8, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM M. GRAFTON, OF SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA..-

RAILW AY SEMAPHORE-SIGNAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,888, dated July 8, 1890. Application filed January 31, 1890. Serial No. 338,717. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it k nown that I, WILLIAM M. GRAFTON, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Sewickphore-signals, and has for its object to pi'o-.

, vide a signal in which the swinging blade or arm, indicating by its positions danger, caution, and safety, shall be clearly and fully visible at all times and at any position.

Urdinarily the swinging blade or arm of the signal is pivotally supported on the post by a bolt, shaft, or spindle which intersects or coincides with a line elrawn'through the center of the blade in the direction of its length and passes directly through the post. The blade in swinging upon this center necessarily maintains a radial position or relation, and hence when dropped to a vertical line is coincident with the post, and therefore either entirely hidden or rendered indistinguishable. Uncertainty and confusion arise from this cause, as an engineer not perceiving the signal-arm itself clearly and distinctly cannot be positive the line is clear or distinguish between the actual condition and the negative indication resulting from the accidental displaeement of the blade, as when torn off bystorms or other causes. Absolute safety in signaling requires that the blade shall be clearly visible in any and all of its three positions.

The accidental removal of a signal-blade from the post or from the casting is not uncommon, and where engineers are accustomed to reading clear when the arm indicates neither danger nor caution,and do not look for the arm itself, very serious results are likely to occur. It is obvious that the indication line clear or safety should be as positive as the indications caution or danger.

My invention accordingly consists in pro viding as a means for the support and pivotal arrangement of the signal blade or arm an elbow-lever or bell-crank, which is preferably east in one piece with-the counterpoise- Weight, and also with the spectacle-rings for the night-signal glasses, and such other appurtenances as may be appropriate or expedient. The essential feature of my invention is, however, the elbow-lever or bell-crank, pivotally attached by a bolt passing through the end of one arm and through the signal post and carrying on the end of the other arm, at a right angle with the first, the signal arm or blade. tVith thisarrangement the pivoted arm of the bell-crank is always in a radial .po-

sition with reference to the pivotal center,

While the signal-blade is always tangential to the circle described by the pivotal arm, and as the latter is long enough to projeet'beyond the side of the post whenin a horizontal position the blade, bein hang entirely outside and clear of the post, where it can be directly seen. The pivotal arm will also project beyond the post. when the blade stands at the half-way position of caution, and hence in this position the blade is entirely exposed to View, while with the ordinary arrangement the blade is partly hidden.

In the accompanying drawings, illnst rating a semaphore-signal embodying my invention,

Figures 1, 2, and 3 are front elevations show-' ing the signal-blade in its three positions, re-

spectively.

A designates the signal-post, surmounted by the lantern B and having bolted to its upper part the plate 0, throughwhieh passes the pivotal bolt D.

E is the signal blade or arm,and-F the bellcrank or elbow casting, which is usually cast 'or provided with the supplementary arm G, carrying the counterpoise-weight H, and with the spectacle-rings I K. The parts referred to maybe in one or more pieces,and the spectacle-rings may be attached to the weight H, or located otherwise, as may be deem-ed 'expedient.

The drawings show a double signal-that is, a post carrying two blades (frontand back) projecting in opposite directions. Both blades are arranged in the same way, and hence a description of one is sufficient.

The blade E is of the usual or any appropriate construction, and is fittedand bolted then vertical, will l 4a1,ese-

into a socket e, cast in the end of the arm 1', which for the purpose of distinction may be termed the tangential arm of the bellcrank F.

The .relation of the blade to the post is' Any desired number of blades mayof cou rse be hung on the one post to indicate with refence to different tracks, sidings, 85c.

Having' described my invention, what I claim as new, and'desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a railway semaphore-signal, the comhination, with the signal-post, of the elbowlever or bell-crank pivotally attached to the no post and supporting the signalblade or arm in a tangential position or at a right angle withthe pivotal arm of said lever, substan-' tially as described.

2. .In a railway semaphore-signah the sig :5

nal-blade-supporting casting, consisting of a bell-crank or elbow-lever, one arm of which supports the signal-blade, while the other is pivoted at its extremity to the signal-post,

and a supplementary arm supporting a coun-" 3o tcrpoise-weight, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 23d day of January, 1890.

WILLIAM M. GRAFTON. Witnesses:

THos. A. CONNOLLY, M. H. SHANE 

